TRIAL SET FOR TOVOSIA & VEKE

A trial has been set for the Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia and former Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke, for 24 November.

Hon. Tovosia and Mr. Veke are each facing eleven counts of abuse of office and attempt of abuse of office.

The allegations against them relate to when they were with the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly as Finance Minister and Premier in 2013.

Tovosia was in Court yesterday, but Veke was not, having been previously excused to go on a trip to Canada.

The Court heard yesterday another former Guadalcanal Premier, Stephen Panga, will be the key witness in the trial.

Tovosia’s Lawyer Nuatalie Tongarutu told the Court they will raise certain issues in regards to Mr. Panga’s second statement.

In response, the Prosecutor Andie Dru says Mrs. Tongarutu should cross-examine Mr. Panga on his statement while he is in the witness box.

She also informed the Court they have served summons to all their witnesses for the trial and they will have three witnesses from outside Honiara.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota adjourned the case for a final interim mention this Friday.